Episode Summary

In this episode, we wrap up Chapter 2 of Fix the Fire Damage, focusing on how to use the book's tools to tackle pain through three sections: Body Mechanics, Body Chemistry, and Stress Coping. These are complemented by three actionable phases—Release, Retrain, and Reinforce—designed to match your healing stage. Discover why recurring pain should be treated like a fresh injury and how small, sustainable changes can help you break free from pain-triggering patterns. 

Key Topics Covered

Three Sections of the Book

1. Body Mechanics: Learn strategies to preserve and improve communication between the brain, nervous system, and physical structures (muscles, joints, bones). 
2. Body Chemistry: Explore ways to optimize your body’s internal processes to lower inflammation and pain. 
3. Stress Biology: Get help with recalibrating your nervous system for biologically lower stress levels, positively influencing pain perception and recovery. 

Phases of Action for Healing

• Release: Initial steps to reduce inflammation and pause aggravating factors. 
• Retrain: Gradual reintroduction of pain-free function through strategic activation of affected areas. 
• Reinforce: Build resilience against future pain by strengthening vulnerable areas and maintaining balanced body chemistry and stress coping. 

Healing Stages Explained 

• Inflammation: Start with Release actions to "put out the fire." 
• Repair: Move to Retrain function and biology for effective reconnection of neural communication. 
• Reinforcement: Transition to long-term solutions for lasting function and pain-free living. 

The Fishing Analogy: 

• Passive relief (medications, treatments) offers temporary solutions—“gifting a fish.” 
• Active strategies from *The Everyday Pain Guide* teach you sustainable skills to avoid pain recurrence—“teaching to fish.” 

Conversation Starter 

How would you change your response to recurring pain if you treated it as a new injury rather than an old annoyance? 

Keywords

Pain recovery, body mechanics, inflammation relief, stress coping strategies, pain management tips, pain retraining, chronic pain relief, healing phases, better pain coping, everyday pain guide. 

#PainRecovery #BetterPainCoping #StressRelief #BodyMechanics #PainReliefTips #ChronicPainHelp #HealingJourney 

Links & Resources

·       Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts on recurring pain and your approach to it on Substack at [Better Pain Coping] (https://dryalingliou.substack.com). 

·       Get Visuals: See illustrations and research references accompanying this chapter at the same Substack page. 

·       Follow: Connect on major social media platforms for more tips and insights. 

Preview to Next Episode 

In the next episode, we’ll take a closer look at the Body Mechanics Repair Guide. Learn how to create sustainable strategies for movement and positioning, whether addressing upper or lower body pain, shoulders, or hips. 

Subscribe to stay updated on actionable steps for living pain-free! 

From the book series: The Everyday Pain Guide

• Volume 1: Put Out the Fire

• Volume 2: Fix the Fire Damage

Episode Summary

In this episode, we dive into the first half of the chapter, “How to Use This Book”, from The Everyday Pain Guide. Dr. Yaling Liou introduces us to the concept of using pain as a guide to healing and explains how our body’s protective mechanisms, like circuit breakers in a house, influence pain and recovery. She also discusses how faulty adaptations can lead to recurring injuries and long-term dysfunction. 

This episode is packed with analogies, practical tips, and insights on navigating the interplay between body mechanics, body chemistry, and stress coping to foster a healthier relationship with pain. 

Key Topics Covered

Your Body as a House

• The nervous system acts like a control panel managing “electrical circuits” (nerves, blood vessels, and lymph). 
• Pain signals can trip protective "circuit breakers," temporarily disrupting function to prevent further damage. 

The Danger of Faulty Adaptations

• Adapting to pain without addressing the root cause can lead to neurological confusion and recurrent dysfunction. 
• Ignoring pain can create long-term communication breakdowns between the brain and body. 

The Role of Protective Mechanisms

• Protective reactions (like shutting fire doors) help limit initial damage but can lead to weakness and imbalance if not addressed. 
• Strategic action is necessary to restore connections and prevent prolonged recovery.

The Three Factors Influencing Everyday Pain: 

1. Body mechanics: Addressing movement and posture. 
2. Body chemistry: Managing inflammatory triggers from diet, environment, and more. 
3. Stress coping: Controlling emotional and mental stress to reduce overall strain on the body. 

Immediate Steps for Pain Management: 

• Reduce mechanical stress by strategically resting. 
• Limit biochemical irritants (e.g., inflammatory foods or environmental toxins). 
• Focus on stress reduction through actionable coping techniques. 

Conversation Starter

Ready to take charge of your pain recovery journey? Visit [Better Pain Coping on Substack] (https://dryalingliou.substack.com) to explore illustrations, resources, and in-depth insights. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and share your experiences—your voice matters! 

Keywords

Pain management strategies / Body mechanics and pain / Inflammation and recovery / Stress coping and healing / Neurological adaptation to pain / Everyday Pain Guide 

#PainRelief #HealingJourney #BodyMechanics #Inflammation #StressCoping #EverydayPainGuide 

Links & Resources

·       Illustrations & Extras:View the visuals associated with this chapter at [Better Pain Coping on Substack](https://dryalingliou.substack.com). 

·       Follow Dr. Yaling Liou:  Connect on social media or through Substack to share your thoughts and questions. 

Preview to Next Episode 

In the next episode, we’ll dive deeper into the specifics of using *The Everyday Pain Guide* as a personalized tool for pain relief. Discover actionable steps to unlock your body’s potential for recovery and prevent future injuries. Don’t miss it! 

Let us know what you think—connect with us on social media or leave a comment on Substack!

From the book series: The Everyday Pain Guide

• Volume 1: Put Out the Fire

• Volume 2: Fix the Fire Damage

Episode Summary

In this episode, we dive into the relatable pain stories of Ed, Charlene, and Billie—three individuals navigating everyday pain that seems to arise from routine activities like reaching for toothpaste, walking, or simply waking up. These stories reveal the subtle yet impactful interplay between body mechanics, body chemistry, and stress coping. Learn how pain denial, adaptability, and early intervention play critical roles in pain relief and prevention.

Key Topics Covered

Understanding Pain Denial:The tendency to push through or ignore pain can lead to dysfunctional adaptation and eventual burnout of the body’s coping mechanisms. 

Introduction to Pain Narratives:

• Ed: A carpenter struck by sharp lower back pain while brushing his teeth.
• Charlene: A dancer and yoga instructor sidelined by mid-back pain during a simple walk. 
• Billie: A corporate professional facing neck pain after a routine night’s sleep. 

The Importance of Early Intervention: Simple, mindful actions in the early moments of pain can help down-regulate the nervous system’s fear response and prevent the onset of chronic pain. 

Reassurance and Neutral Space: Creating even brief moments of pain-free "neutral space" sends a powerful message to the body and brain that relief is possible. 

Self-Empowerment Tools: Discover how The Everyday Pain Guide equips you to take control of your pain and avoid long-term issues by addressing mechanics, chemistry, and stress. 

Conversation Starter

What’s your everyday pain story? Do Ed's, Charlene's, or Billie’s experiences resonate with you? Or do you have a different journey? Share your story and join the conversation over on [Better Pain Coping on Substack] (https://dryalingliou.substack.com). 

Keywords

Everyday pain, pain denial, chronic pain prevention, pain management tips, body mechanics, nervous system regulation, stress coping, pain relief strategies, functional medicine. 

#EverydayPain #PainReliefTips #PainManagement #MindBodyConnection #ChronicPainPrevention #SelfCareTools #StressCoping 

Preview to Next Episode 

Curious about how to apply The Everyday Pain Guide to your unique pain situation? In the next episode, we’ll explore exactly how to use this book as your personal roadmap to recovery. Stay tuned! 

Listen, learn, and take control of your pain journey with us today!

From the book series: The Everyday Pain Guide

• Volume 1: Put Out the Fire

• Volume 2: Fix the Fire Damage

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dr. Yaling Liou concludes the introduction to her book, Fix the Fire Damage, the second installment in The Everyday Pain Guide series. She explores how disregarding everyday pain can lead to chronic issues, the neurobiology behind muted pain perception, and the importance of recalibrating the lines of communication between the brain and body. Dr. Liou also challenges common misconceptions about pain sensitivity and sheds light on how belief systems, stress responses, and movement can influence pain experiences. 

Key Topics Covered

·       The Danger of Disregarding Pain: Ignoring pain can distort perception and pave the way for chronic issues. 

·       Repairing Communication: Restoring brain-body connections is critical for accurate pain interpretation and healing. 

·       Debunking the “Overly Sensitive Smoke Detector”: Viewing pain as an appropriately tuned warning system fosters better responses to early discomfort. 

·       The Role of Beliefs and Stress: Nocebo effects and stress responses significantly impact pain recovery. 

·       Movement is Medicine: Reestablishing motion supports neurological and physiological processes, aiding recovery and overall health. 

Conversation Starters 

Have you noticed how pain or bodywork affects other systems like digestion or immunity?

Are you tuning in or pushing past your pain signals?

Share your thoughts with Dr. Liou and the Better Pain Coping community at [dryalingliou.substack.com/listener]. Don’t forget to subscribe for exclusive content and research-backed insights! 

Keywords

Pain recovery, chronic pain, brain-body connection, pain science, stress and pain, nocebo effect, central sensitization, movement therapy, everyday pain guide, Dr. Yaling Liou. 

#PainAwareness #StopEverydayPain #PainScience #BrainBodyConnection #StressManagement #MovementIsMedicine

Preview to Next Episode 

In the next episode, Dr. Liou introduces three patient stories that illustrate how to apply The Everyday Pain Guide. These relatable accounts reveal the diverse ways pain manifests and how personalized approaches can lead to relief. Tune in to find the common threads and insights for your journey to pain-free living.

From the book series: The Everyday Pain Guide

• Volume 1: Put Out the Fire

• Volume 2: Fix the Fire Damage

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dr. Yaling Liou dives into the first half of the introduction to Fix the Fire Damage, the second book in The Everyday Pain Guide series. She unpacks the concept of pain as a warning signal, debunks the cultural glorification of pain denial, and introduces strategies for early intervention. Drawing on personal stories and professional insights, Dr. Liou emphasizes how understanding and addressing pain early can prevent chronic issues and promote healing. 

Key Topics Covered

·       Cultural Shift on Pain: Why pushing through pain isn’t sustainable and how it numbs us to our body’s warning signals. 

·       Early Intervention: The importance of acting swiftly to address pain and avoid chronic issues. 

·       RELEASE Phase: A practical first step for early pain intervention, designed to halt pain progression. 

·       Dr. Liou’s Personal Journey: Her firsthand experience with recurring neck pain and the decades-long learning process that inspired her patient-centered approach. 

·       Empowerment Through Education: How understanding pain fosters confidence and reduces fear, enabling quicker recovery. 

Conversation Starter

Have you ever woken up with surprise pain or experienced pain that seemed to appear out of nowhere? Share your story and connect with Dr. Liou and the community at [dryalingliou.substack.com/listener]. Don’t forget to subscribe to access bonus content and footnoted research references! 

Keywords

Pain management, early intervention, chronic pain, pain denial, pain first aid, everyday pain guide, Dr. Yaling Liou, personal pain journey, pain education, self-help for pain.

#PainManagement #StopEverydayPain #PainEducation #ChronicPainRelief #HealthEmpowerment #PainFirstAid 

Preview to Next Episode 

In the upcoming episode, Dr. Liou will complete the book introduction, revisiting key concepts from Volume 1 and preparing us to explore the art of tuning into our pain. Stay tuned for actionable insights that could transform how you understand and manage pain in your daily life! 

From the book series: The Everyday Pain Guide

• Volume 1: Put Out the Fire

• Volume 2: Fix the Fire Damage

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dr. Yaling Liou introduces the second volume in The Everyday Pain Guide series, Fix the Fire Damage, and shares her insights on pain management, healing, and patient empowerment. By addressing common misconceptions about pain, Dr. Liou challenges listeners to reframe their approach to pain and explore how early and strategic intervention using informed strategies can change the course of their pain journey. 

Key Topics Covered

·       Book Dedication and Theme: Dr. Liou opens with a powerful dedication to those who doubted her journey, embracing pain as a teacher that empowers people to persevere and overcome.

·       The Goal Behind the Series: Originally intended as a simple patient guide, The Everyday Pain Guide evolved into a three-part series tailored to help individuals understand, address, and prevent everyday pain through diverse learning formats. 

·       The “What, Why, and How” of Pain: Volume 1: Put Out the Fire covered the root causes of pain, while Volume 2: Fix the Fire Damage focuses on actionable steps for healing—learning to manage pain flare-ups, adopt productive movement habits, and reduce future pain risks.

·       The Power of Language in Pain Recovery: Dr. Liou discusses the impact of language on pain perception, urging listeners to rethink terms like "fix" and "damage" and to approach pain management with a mindset of restoration rather than repair.

·       Pain Denial and the Culture of Endurance: She explores the damaging societal glorification of “powering through” pain and the risks of ignoring early pain signals, which can lead to chronic pain and maladaptive neurobiological changes.

·       Early Intervention as Prevention: Emphasizing the importance of early pain intervention, Dr. Liou likens addressing pain promptly to first aid, explaining that recognizing and acting on pain’s early signals can prevent long-term issues.

·       Understanding Pain Beyond Quick Fixes: Dr. Liou clarifies the distinction between managing symptoms with medication and addressing root causes through lifestyle adjustments, movement, and understanding.

Conversation Starter

“What would your life look like if you paid attention to pain the moment it strikes?”

Dr. Liou encourages listeners to reflect on their relationship with pain and share their thoughts at, Better Pain Coping on Substack: [dryalingliou.substack.com] 

Preview to Next Episode 

In the following episode, Dr. Liou will delve into the introduction to Fix the Fire Damage, entitled "What Needs Fixing and Why," setting the stage for deeper exploration of practical pain management strategies.

Connect and Subscribe 

Subscribe to the Podcast for more insights on pain management and self-care strategies.

Join the Community on Substack: [dryalingliou.substack.com]

From the book series: The Everyday Pain Guide

• Volume 1: Put Out the Fire

• Volume 2: Fix the Fire Damage

Announcing the upcoming free audiobook project for Vol. 2 of The Everyday Pain Guide series.

Episode Summary

After a five-year break, Ya-Ling is back and ready to breathe new life into the podcast! In this short but exciting episode, Ya-Ling shares her plans to kick things off with an audiobook-style series based on her upcoming book, Fix the Fire Damage: Your Go-To Guide When Pain First Strikes. Listeners will get early access to exclusive excerpts before the book hits shelves, making this a journey you won’t want to miss!

Key Topics Covered

• Podcast Revival: After a hiatus since 2018, the podcast returns with a fresh focus.
• Audiobook-Style Series: Ya-Ling will read excerpts from her new book for free, months ahead of its release.
• Book Announcement: Fix the Fire Damage, the second volume in The Everyday Pain Guide series, focuses on immediate responses to pain.
• Call to Action: Subscribe to the podcast now to ensure you don't miss the first reading episode!

Important Links:

• Subscribe to the podcast: Click the + Follow link in your feed!
• Follow Ya-Ling on Substack for updates: dryalingliou.substack.com
• Learn more about The Everyday Pain Guide: stopeverydaypain.com

Keywords: Pain management, Everyday Pain Guide, Fix the Fire Damage, chronic pain, podcast revival, audiobook podcast, self-care guide, Ya-Ling.

Find out what's next for the show and how you can be a part of it!

If everyone could hear and see everyone else’s struggles, would we all find greater ease in pain? Pain changes how we view ourselves, our past selves and maybe causes us to worry about the future.

In this episode, Jane discusses how gaining distance and allowing for the contrast of time and space, can really transform our outlook and offers us the opportunity to recognize our own fortitude.

Key Points From This Episode:

• How to cope with airplane travel with lower back pain.
• How to use your mind’s eye and visualization to create ease in your body.
• Use of standing desks and being an "active sitter".
• Acceptance of changing body needs.
• The gluten controversy - Can the increasing gluten sensitivity be linked to a chemical sensitivity due to the impact on our wheat by the use of pesticides?

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Fear-Avoidance Behavior Impact on Pain https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15102230 
• “Axial” Definition  https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/axial
• Compression, Lengthening and Shearing Stress http://stopeverydaypain.com/2015/01/18/3-mechanical-stressors-can-cause-pain/
• Mental Imagery and Sports Performance 
  • https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/23/sports/olympics/olympians-use-imagery-as-mental-training.html 
  • http://euacademic.org/UploadArticle/1396.pdf
• Jack LaLanne - the Godfather of Fitness and the First Fitness Superhero  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_LaLanne
• Image of the Passive Release Positioning  http://stopeverydaypain.com/2016/04/04/get-off-pain-causing-treadmill/
• Pesticide Usage and Health
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4947579/
  • https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/15/4/1416
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3945755/
  • https://ourworldindata.org/fertilizer-and-pesticides#pesticide-consumption-by-country
• The Sick Building Syndrome  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2796751/
• The Toxin Solution by Dr. Pizzorno  http://www.thetoxinsolution.com/

Connect With the Show:

• Facebook Page – Everyday Pain Guide
• Facebook Group – Everyday Pain Forum
• Twitter – @noeverydaypain

Music From This Episode

• Eric and Magill – https://ericandmagill.bandcamp.com/
• Samuel Vas-Y – https://samyel.bandcamp.com
• The Fresh & Onlys - https://thefreshandonlys.bandcamp.com/

What is your mindset about pain as you grow older? Do you believe that the body and the ageing process can be full of joy? Your perspective on life and coping, while keeping your sense of humor can be rewarded.

In today’s episode, we delve into laughter and life experience with our guest, Alice. Alice is in her 80’s and she tells a story about expectations. Shaping expectations can play a major role in how things go and how expectations can have a huge impact on the experiences that follow. We follow her pain experiences from the choice of natural childbirth in the 1960’s to her “deteriorating” body with 5 or so joint replacements today.  The stories are all connected through laughter and positive mindset.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Nocebic language - if you believe something is bad for you, it ends up being bad.
• The adverse effects of some drugs on our cognitive or brain functioning.
• The value of elder housing situations where young people are encouraged or incentivized to live alongside the older generation.
• McMaster University senior co-housing - connecting students looking for affordable housing with seniors who have a spare room.
• The correlation between how informed someone is about their body and how well they respond to care.
• Midwifery and the value of birthing center experiences where women can choose natural childbirth with a midwife.
• How labor pain is normal pain that isn’t related to dysfunction.
• How wishes are different from our expectations.
• Spiritual belief systems for not creating a lot of fear associated with pain.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Nocebo - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/what-is-the-nocebo-effect-5451823/
• List of drugs contraindicated in geriatrics -https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/professional/geriatrics/drug-therapy-in-the-elderly/drug-categories-of-concern-in-the-elderly
• Senior Co-Housing in Ontario - https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/student-senior-university-mcmaster-housing-co-generational-1.4811115?cmp=FB_Post_News
• Grantly Dick-Read – Childbirth Without Fear and Natural Childbirth
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grantly_Dick-Read 
  • https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Childbirth-Grantly-Dick-Read/dp/1905177089

• Flagstaff Birth and Women’s Center - https://www.flagstaffbirthcenter.com/
• UW Willed Body Program: - https://www.uwmedicine.org/education/about/willed-body-program
• Hospital Delirium in Geriatric Medicine - https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/when-patients-suddenly-become-confused
• Quaker Meeting - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meeting_for_worship 

Connect With the Show:

• Facebook Page – Everyday Pain Guide
• Facebook Group – Everyday Pain Forum
• Twitter – @noeverydaypain

Music From This Episode: 

• Eric and Magill – https://ericandmagill.bandcamp.com/
• Samuel Vas-Y – https://samyel.bandcamp.com
• Phil Steadman - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Steadman/